Factory NAV vs. dealer-installed NAV
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 967
Likes: 77
From: Long Island, New York
2018 E400 4matic Wagon
Factory NAV vs. dealer-installed NAV
It seems NAV is no longer a stand-alone option (at least not on E500 wagons). You can only get it as part of the Premium Package, but you can't get heated seats with the Premium Package, so you can't get factory NAV and heated seats anymore.
If I'm going to end up with non-factory NAV, can I just buy the NAV accessory unit from a M-B mail-order dealer at a discount off the $1450 list price and install it myself? Does anyone know what's involved and what dealers charge for installing the NAV? Any recommendations on M-B mail-order accessories suppliers?
If I'm going to end up with non-factory NAV, can I just buy the NAV accessory unit from a M-B mail-order dealer at a discount off the $1450 list price and install it myself? Does anyone know what's involved and what dealers charge for installing the NAV? Any recommendations on M-B mail-order accessories suppliers?
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 491
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From: Irvine, CA, USA
Tesla
Dealers around here told me it can't be done. And they wouldn't tell me what they've been smoking either. So I did it myself:
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/100143-oem-navigation-retrofit-w-pics.html
Or you can have Steve at mbenznl.com install it for you.
https://mbworld.org/forums/e-class-w211/100143-oem-navigation-retrofit-w-pics.html
Or you can have Steve at mbenznl.com install it for you.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
The '06 E500 "Build your own" feature on the MBUSA site describes the "Premium Package" thusly (Emphasis added):
526 Premium Package
This package includes the 324 Sunroof Package, Power Rear-window Sunshade, harman/kardon® Logic7® Digital Surround Sound System with CD changer, DVD Navigation, and Active Ventilated front seats with heating feature.
Not available with: 6-Disc CD Changer, Heated Front Seats
I have no idea if the "heating feature" is equivalent to standalone heated seats.
526 Premium Package
This package includes the 324 Sunroof Package, Power Rear-window Sunshade, harman/kardon® Logic7® Digital Surround Sound System with CD changer, DVD Navigation, and Active Ventilated front seats with heating feature.
Not available with: 6-Disc CD Changer, Heated Front Seats
I have no idea if the "heating feature" is equivalent to standalone heated seats.
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 384
Likes: 1
From: FORT LAUDERDALE FL
2019 S63 COUPE
"Dealers around here told me it can't be done. And they wouldn't tell me what they've been smoking either. So I did it myself:
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=100143"
i have checked and cant seem to find a price on the unit itself. i am sure i could do the install myself. my car has the old half style tape unit..i am looking at upgrading to a later car with command...
am i correct that if the car has command then the navigation can be retrofitted.
thanks
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthread.php?t=100143"
i have checked and cant seem to find a price on the unit itself. i am sure i could do the install myself. my car has the old half style tape unit..i am looking at upgrading to a later car with command...
am i correct that if the car has command then the navigation can be retrofitted.
thanks
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,105
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From: the Netherlands
Nothing MB related (sorry)
Originally Posted by SPIKES
am i correct that if the car has command then the navigation can be retrofitted.
thanks
thanks
greetingz,
BigSis
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,586
Likes: 1
From: Sacramento
'08 AM Vantage V8 - '03 E500
This is slightly OT, but does anyone know what percentage of '04 and '05 W211s came with navigation installed? The proportion of users of this forum who have navigation is probably much higher than the W211 driver universe as a whole, because [warning: unsubstantiated hypothesis follows] we happy few, we band of brothers/sisters are more into technology and more likely to buy navigation than W211 buyers in general.
I read someplace that navigation market penetration in the US is still only about 5%, lower than in Europe and much lower than in Japan. Not surprising, if navigation is sold as an expensive stand-alone option. M-B will undoubtedly increase navigation sales in the W211 by combining it with other desirable options in a package - not to mention that anyone wanting the harmon/kardon premium audio now has to take navigation with it, whether they want it or not.
I read someplace that navigation market penetration in the US is still only about 5%, lower than in Europe and much lower than in Japan. Not surprising, if navigation is sold as an expensive stand-alone option. M-B will undoubtedly increase navigation sales in the W211 by combining it with other desirable options in a package - not to mention that anyone wanting the harmon/kardon premium audio now has to take navigation with it, whether they want it or not.
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I ordered an upgrade nav kit from Steve, and installed it myself.
Took about 15-20 minutes.
Worked fine when I powered the system up.
I'd say the hardest part is getting the trunkliner out with all it's snaps and clips and such.
The actual installation of the hardware is very easy and pretty much straightforward.
My drive actually had a DVD from Europe in it (Steve might have been testing the unit) and the only thing I found that does not work is it could not give me driving directions from Michigan to Germany
Oh.. and I need to stop by the dealer and have the dash reprogrammed to show the NAV data on there.. but the COMMAND display works fine.
Took about 15-20 minutes.
Worked fine when I powered the system up.
I'd say the hardest part is getting the trunkliner out with all it's snaps and clips and such.
The actual installation of the hardware is very easy and pretty much straightforward.
My drive actually had a DVD from Europe in it (Steve might have been testing the unit) and the only thing I found that does not work is it could not give me driving directions from Michigan to Germany
Oh.. and I need to stop by the dealer and have the dash reprogrammed to show the NAV data on there.. but the COMMAND display works fine.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 4,011
Likes: 3
From: global traveller
some slow@$$diesels
Originally Posted by RunninRS
My drive actually had a DVD from Europe in it (Steve might have been testing the unit) and the only thing I found that does not work is it could not give me driving directions from Michigan to Germany
greetingz,
